new French commander MG Dominique Pérignon paused to reorganize. When the French attacked again on 20 November, they cracked Girón's defenses in the center and captured the key Santa-Maria-del-Roure position. De la Union was slain while gallantly leading a Spanish cavalry charge and command of the army passed to Girón. With de Courten's left wing out of the fight and his center division wrecked, Girón ordered a retreat. In the confusion, he left behind the city of Figueres and a 9,000-man garrison in the powerful fortress of San Fernando (Sant Ferran). The army withdrew behind the Rio Fluvià to reorganize its shattered units. Soon after, Pérignon bluffed the governor of San Fernando into surrendering and began the Siege of Roses. In December, Girón was dismissed from command of the Army of Catalonia for abandoning San Fernando fortress, and for errors committed at the battles of Boulou and Peyrestortes. He died on 17 October 1819 at Seville. Footnotes Sources } Further reading "17 Septembre 1793 La Bataille de Peyrestortes" by Bernard Prats (in French) Spanish soldiers Spanish generals Marquesses of Spain Military leaders of the French Revolutionary Wars Spanish commanders of the Napoleonic Wars 1741 births 1819 deaths